Effects of the whole-body cryotherapy on a total antioxidative status and activities of some antioxidative enzymes in blood of patients with multiple sclerosis-preliminary study

Objective. There is evidence that multiple sclerosis (MS) is not only characterized
by immune mediated inflammatory reactions but also by neurodegenerative processes.
Neutralization of oxidative stress and excitotoxicity, might represent a therapeutic
approach to provide neuroprotection in MS. The purpose of this study was to compare
changes in total antioxidative status and activities of chosen antioxidative enzymes, such
as : SOD, CAT in erythrocytes of patients with MS before and after using WBCT with control
group. Materials and methods. 32 patients with multiple sclerosis (ICD10-G35) and
20 healthy subjects were recruited for the study. The examined MS group (n=16) was
treated with a series of 10 daily exposures in a cryogenic chamber (2-3 min, from -120-
to -110-) and program of exercises. The control MS group (n=16) had only exercises.
Plasma TAS as well as SOD and CAT activities in erythrocytes were measured. Results.
The level of TAS in MS patients was distinctly reduced compared to healthy subjects. After
two weeks of WBCT treatment an increase of TAS in the whole examined group (p
0,01) were observed in relation to control MS group. There was not increase of CuZnSOD
and CAT activities. Conclusion. Our results suggest positive antioxidant effects of WBCT as
a short-term adjuvant treatment for patients suffered due to MS.

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